Minutes 03-22-2016 - Laserfiche WebLink

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10 information, knowing bond funds would not be able to address all needs. She said the priorities identified are: safety; replacement of failing mechanical equipment; additional seats to accommodate the growing high school population; updating food service facilities and equipment; and replacement of the 50-year old transportation facilities. Donna Coffey also discouraged the use of a third party consultant. She said both school boards have done due diligence in putting forth credible, priority projects that fall within the limits given. Chair McKee said the comments from the Board chairs are greatly appreciated. Commissioner Dorosin referred to the CHCCS hand out, noting the first item is Glenwood Elementary. He asked if this project is being funded already from the CHCCS fund balance. Todd LoFrese said yes. Commissioner Dorosin said the handout states that this project is listed as not meeting "OC standards" upon completion. He asked if there could be further clarification on this point. Todd LoFrese said Glenwood is a school that the architects and engineers determined needs to be replaced rather than renovated for various reasons, which he reiterated. He said the solution for now is to create a secure vestibule in the front of building, provide support spaces for teachers, insure all bathrooms are ADA accessible, and to keep it running for 10 to 15 years while other projects are addressed and other factors unfold. Commissioner Dorosin asked if the column marked "capacity" referred to increase. Todd LoFrese said yes. Commissioner Pelissier said regardless of what the BOCC thinks generally, she does not find it practical to have a consultant due to time constraints. She said it is way too late to consider, and she would not consider it either way. Commissioner Pelissier said recent SAPFO numbers show some student population decreases, which may be temporary and may not. She asked if there is a way to have some projects but not necessarily do them if capacity decreases. She asked if there is a way to be flexible with some of these priority projects. Todd LoFrese said the student population decrease is viewed more as a "breather", and there is an entire school's worth of modular units throughout their district. He said these should not be relied on long term to address capacity. He said these modular units will all need upgrades and renovation, which CHCCS deems as a drain on resources. Commissioner Jacobs asked if the number of modules in phase 3 is known. Todd LoFrese said about 25, and the rest would be in phase 2. He said many of the modules are used for Pre-K classes, and if those classes are relocated to the Lincoln Center, then the modules can be used as swing space while addressing other projects. Commissioner Burroughs said hiring a consultant at this point is not feasible from a time standpoint and would be a waste of funds. She said both districts have discussed this issue for three years and not just the current boards but past boards too. Commissioner Burroughs said their school boards do not serve at the pleasure of the BOCC but are elected by the same voters who vote for the Commissioners. She said some work has already begun and an additional consultant would be a duplicative process. She discouraged the BOCC from voting for this. Commissioner Rich said she could go either way on this item and she has talked with citizens about this over the last 10 weeks, while she was campaigning. She said she still has some concerns with how projects are being considered. She said she gets hung up on Chapel Hill High which is projected to cost $52 million. She said it is difficult for her to go to tax payers and tell them how much projects cost, especially for one building. She values a second opinion but does not think she needs a consultant to tell her what she already knows. She said taxpayers are concerned about how the Board of County Commissioners is spending